SPSD retirees part II

This second installment of Sauk Prairie School District retiree interviews features Lynn Wipperfurth and Pat Klappa from Sauk Prairie Middle School and Glenn Schuster, Reid Patterson, and Joan Horne of Grand Avenue Elementary.   Lynn Wipperfurth   Lynn Wipperfurth is retiring as an SPMS eighth grader science teacher after serving 23 years at Sauk Prairie Middle School and 33.5 years in education. She also taught middle school science in Seattle WA for five years and six years in Phoenix, AZ as a high school biology teacher. “I will always remember applying for the job at SPMS in August with two-weeks prep before school starting,” she reminisced. “Also, I will remember my first team meeting with all my former teachers, John Freriks, Bill Aylward and Harold Oleson!” My favorite part of teaching at the middle school is “the middle school energy- crazy but fun! The staff is always amazing; the kids are always energized. I enjoyed making the connections with the kids.” As for the pandemic, “There were so many silver linings…I loved the small classes (with the hybrid model) with only 10-12 students in a class. With the block schedule, I had 90 minutes to teach science. It was easier to build connections with students because you had more time each day to talk with every student,” she shared. “I am so happy when past students say hello and tell me how they are doing! I have a sense of pride, like a mother to all these children. I especially love to hear when students go into science careers’” commented Wipperfurth on her accomplishments as a teacher. In retirement, Lynn plans on “subbing some for sure but only at SPMS and do as much traveling as we can afford!”   Pat Klappa   With 17 years at SPMS and 24 total years in education, Pat Klappa has been a seventh grade science teacher. Earning a B.S. at Cardinal Stritch with a biology major and chemistry minor, Klappa continued with graduate work at UW-Madison in Microbiology and Plant Pathology. She then secured her teaching certification at Edgewood College in 1-8 elementary education and 1-9 science.  Memories of teaching include, “the kindness and resilience of colleagues during exceedingly difficult times and the students who blossomed during the metamorphic years of middle school.” “Most teachers would probably say that the most enjoyable part of working in education is the “Ahh ha” moment - when a student understands an idea for the first time. However, the part of teaching I found most enjoyable was when a student showed genuine curiosity to learn. I loved it when a student had not reached that “Ahh ha” moment but asked a question because they were motivated to want to understand a concept and truly learn. I also found teaching most enjoyable when a student asked a question because they had surpassed that moment and wanted to take their learning farther or in a new direction,” shared Klappa. When asked for comment teaching during the pandemic, Klappa said, “The pandemic brought out the best and worst in people. It did the same for our educational systems. The pandemic provided opportunities to innovate and approach teaching in a new way; however, it also shined a spotlight on the inequities of the system and its inability to meet the needs of some learners. It was challenging, frustrating, and at times heart breaking.”       Glenn Schuster   Glenn Schuster just completed 29 years of teaching as an elementary music teacher (general music and chorus) at Grand Avenue Elementary School and has a total of 35+ years in education. He has also assisted the directors at the high school with the musicals and show choirs over the years. Prior to coming to Sauk Prairie, he taught at Mazomanie Elementary School and in the Hustisford and Appleton School Districts. Schuster has a Bachelor of Music Degree from Concordia College in Moorhead, MN with a double major in music education and organ performance. He continued with a Master of Music degree in music education from VanderCook College of Music in Chicago. He has also spent summers at St. John’s University in Collegeville, MN taking advanced coursework in music performance.   “I was part time when I started teaching in Sauk Prairie and had planned on doing that for just a few years. I soon realized that this district is truly a wonderful district, where the school board, administration and staff all worked together, supporting each other for the betterment of everyone,” commented Schuster. Adding to his praise of the Sauk Prairie community, he stated, “Sauk Prairie is also a community the supports the arts. It has given me great joy over the years to see several students continue in music after they have left Sauk Prairie.” “My favorite part of working in education has been to encourage students to be the best they can be. It has given me great joy to see students try something new and then see them have a feeling of accomplishment and success.” During the pandemic, “I was discouraged from playing recorders. So, with the help of Ally Steinmentz, who arranged to get ukuleles for my classroom, I was able to do a huge ukulele unit with the students this year. Students really enjoyed it and It has been a learning process for both me and the students.” Continuing on Schuster said, “I have really missed the concerts this year as well as Fifth Grade Chorus. It has always been a great joy to see 80-90 young singers sing and perform together with huge smiles on their faces.” Expressing his emotions, Schuster remarked, “I am most thankful to have had the opportunity to have shared my love of music with so many children and to see them be excited about it as much as I am. I am humbled to know that I have been a part of our future leaders’ lives. Emphatically, Schuster states, “I am not retiring. I am just changing gears! I have accepted a position as assistant director of music in two Madison churches. I will be their organist for two to three services on the weekend as well as accompanying the choirs.”    Reid Patterson    Reid Patterson spent his entire educational career as a custodian at Grand Avenue for 24 years. He was born and raised in Sauk Prairie and lived here his entire life. He graduated from SPHS in the class of 1979.He started out subbing at Tower Rock Elementary School as a fill-in janitor and also farmed at the same time. Later he was offered a full-time job and sold his cows to come work at Grand Avenue Elementary. Starting out on the night shift for three years, he then took over as head pay custodian.  Patterson said, “I will always remember the great staff and students that I was able to work with. I think there was always a certain connection with some kids that I will never forget.” Commenting on the pandemic year, he remarked, “It surely was a different year, but I can say we adapted to what we had to. There’s certainly is something to say (positively) for small class sizes.” “I am most proud of being able to stay in the same building for 24 years,” he said. Retirement plans are “to work with my brother in the vegetable business Pattersons Patch. Also, I will be spending more time with my two grandsons, Drew and Hunter. We also have added to our flock of sheep with almost 140 ewes on our farm.” Joan Horne   A teaching assistant a Grand Avenue Elementary for 30.5 years, Joan Horne is retiring also.